I hated the disappointment that crossed Jaden’s face. It was fast, but I saw it, and it hit me right in the chest. Especially with Mila away at camp. He was bored and probably lonely, and I had said I’d go.
“I can come,” I said, swinging my legs over the side of the bed.
Dad’s eyes narrowed. “You can barely sit up.”
“I’m fine,” I assured him.
“You’re exhausted,” he insisted.
“I’m in medicine. That’s the brand,” I quipped.
He stepped into the room. “Catherine Celia.”
Oh, he pulled out Catherine Celia. That meant he was serious.
I rubbed my eyes. “Dad, I said I’d go with him.”
“And I’m saying you’re staying home. You need to take care of yourself. Burning yourself out isn’t productive,” Dad said.
Jaden looked torn now, which made me feel worse. Then Mom appeared beside Dad in the doorway, wearing leggings, a loose top, and her hair in a ponytail. She held a travel mug of coffee and looked way too pretty for someone who had been on call the night before.
“Doctor’s orders,” she said, pointing at me with her mug. “Back in bed.”
I flopped backward. “You too, Mom?”
Mom smiled. “Don’t try to guilt me. It won’t work.”
“I’m not trying to guilt you,” I replied.
Dad looked at Jaden. “She’ll come another time. Today she rests.”
Jaden sighed like he had suffered more than anyone in human history. “Fine.”
I lifted my head. “I’m sorry, bud.”
He shrugged, but his expression softened. “It’s okay. You look kind of scary anyway.”
“Wow. Thank you,” I chortled.
“In a tired way.” He shrugged. “I’ll win you something.”
Mom stepped into the room and pulled the blanket back over me like I was five. “Sleep.”
“I’m not a child.”
“No, you’re a med student, which is worse because you think sleep is optional,” she said, pressing her lips together. She was my example growing up. It shouldn’t surprise her that I was emulating her behavior.
Dad pointed at me. “She gets that from you.”
Mom gave him a look. “She gets the stubbornness from you.”
“Fair.”
I closed my eyes because the pillow was winning. “Have fun without me.”
“We will,” Jaden said, way too cheerfully.
“Rude.”
